Director of Public Safety (West Allis, WI)

• Direct and manage all operations of the Public Safety Department, ensuring alignment with Wisconsin State Fair Park's mission, goals, and strategic priorities.
• Develop departmental policies, procedures, standards, and operational plans that promote a safe and secure environment.
• Provide leadership, supervision, coaching, and performance management for year-round and seasonal supervisory staff.
• Establish departmental goals, objectives, performance metrics, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Prepare and administer departmental budgets, monitor expenditures, and manage resources effectively.

• Lead public safety planning and operational execution for the annual Wisconsin State Fair, Harvest Fair, INDYCAR events, and other events hosted throughout the year.
• Develop staffing plans and deployment strategies to support events of varying size and complexity.
• Oversee crowd management, traffic and pedestrian safety, access control, incident response, and venue security operations.
• Conduct risk assessments and implement mitigation strategies to address operational and public safety concerns.
• Monitor emerging trends, technologies, and best practices in venue and event safety management.

• In conjunction with the WSFP PD Coordinate emergency planning activities and maintain emergency response procedures for the fairgrounds and associated events.
• Serve in a leadership role during emergencies, critical incidents, severe weather events, and large-scale operational disruptions.
• Collaborate with public safety partners to develop and implement incident response and continuity plans.
• Participate in emergency exercises, drills, and after-action reviews to improve organizational preparedness.

• Direct recruitment, hiring, onboarding, training, scheduling, and retention efforts for approximately 500 LTE and seasonal public safety staff.
• Develop training programs that promote professionalism, customer service, safety awareness, emergency response readiness, and operational effectiveness.
• Ensure compliance with applicable employment laws, workplace safety requirements, and agency policies.
• Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, customer service, and employee engagement.

• In conjunction with the WSFP PD, serve as a liaison with law enforcement agencies, fire departments, EMS providers, emergency management organizations, event promoters, contractors, vendors, and other stakeholders.
• Collaborate with internal departments to support event operations and organizational objectives.
• Represent Wisconsin State Fair Park at meetings, committees, and professional organizations related to public safety and event management.
• Provide recommendations and reports to executive leadership regarding public safety operations, risks, and strategic initiatives.

• Ensure departmental compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations, policies, and safety standards.
• Evaluate incidents, trends, and operational data to identify opportunities for risk reduction and service improvements.
• Maintain accurate records, reports, and documentation related to departmental operations and incidents.
• Support agency-wide safety, security, and risk management initiatives.

• Develop, administer, and monitor the Public Safety Department budget, ensuring effective stewardship of financial resources and alignment with organizational priorities.
• Forecast annual staffing, operational, training, equipment, and event-related expenditures to support department operations and strategic initiatives.
• Analyze budget trends, staffing costs, and operational data to identify efficiencies and opportunities for cost savings while maintaining service levels.
• Prepare budget requests, justifications, and financial reports for executive leadership and agency stakeholders.
• Monitor expenditures and approve purchases in accordance with agency policies, state procurement requirements, and budgetary constraints.
• Oversee contracts, vendor relationships, and service agreements related to public safety operations, security services, equipment, uniforms, and training.
• Collaborate with Finance and executive leadership to support annual budget development, long-range financial planning, and operational forecasting.

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Criminal Justice, Emergency Management, Homeland Security, Business Administration, Event Management, or a closely related field; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant professional experience.

• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible leadership experience in public safety, security management, emergency management, venue operations, event operations, law enforcement administration, military leadership, or a related field.
• Minimum of three (3) years of supervisory or management experience leading large teams in a complex operational environment.
• Experience developing operational plans, staffing models, policies, procedures, and budgets.
• Demonstrated ability to lead large-scale event operations and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, conflict resolution, and organizational skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with diverse stakeholders, public safety partners, and community organizations.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended hours as required by event operations and emergency situations.

• Experience managing security or public safety operations for large venues, fairs, festivals, sporting events, or entertainment facilities, preferred.
• Experience overseeing large seasonal or event-based workforces, preferred.
• Knowledge of crowd management principles, emergency preparedness, venue security, and public safety best practices, preferred
• Experience working within a governmental or public-sector organization, preferred
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.

Department: Public Safety
This is a management position
This is a permanent full-time position